Addenbrooke's Hospital cancels six cancer patient operations because it was 'too full'

Published on 16/02/2012

Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, had to cancel the operations of six cancer patients because the hospital was ‘too full’ to take any more patients.

The six cancer patients were either waiting to have tumours removed, have ‘complex surgery’ for reconstruction, or waiting to undergo diagnostic procedures.

According to reports, on Friday there were 81 patients in Addenbrooke’s hospital- the equivalent of four wards full- who were deemed by doctors to be fit enough to leave hospital. However, these patients had to remain as inpatients as there was not a care package in place.

Dr Gareth Goodier, Chief Executive of Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, told newspaper Cambridge First it was the first time the trust had to cancel the operations of cancer patients, but its hands were tied.

This is not the first time Addenbrooke’s Hospital has had to cancel and rearrange other non-emergency procedures because of full beds.

From October to December 2010, the hospital reported a total of 1,430 bed days lost to patients staying unnecessarily at the hospital. During this period the trust had to cancel and rearrange 93 procedures.

From October to December 2011 the hospital reported a total of 2,735 bed days lost- a rise of 90 per cent. The trust had to cancel and rearrange 180 procedures, a rise of 94 per cent. NHS Cambridgeshire disputes these figures.

It is believed that the six cancer patients have since had their operations, but the problem of bed blocking has not yet been resolved.

Dr Goodier said: "there has not been a reduction in quality of care except on January 26 when a combination of a large number of delayed transfers and the norovirus caused us, for the first time, to cancel operations for cancer patients".

This follows a report in November that Addenbrooke’s Hospital made four major health blunders, classed as ‘never event’s, including leaving surgical items inside two patients.

Patients living in the Cambridge area with private medical insurance could have been treated in the nearby Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, a private hospital with excellent facilities.

Addenbrooke's Hospital cancels six cancer patient operations because it was 'too full' Addenbrooke’s Hospital , part of the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, had to cancel the operations of six cancer patienFollow @activequote

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